Learning Objective, Success Criteria… LO: To understand the importance of VE day. Success Criteria I can explain why VE Day is an significant moment in British history. I can say why VE Day was important. I can describe a VE day celebration. Key vocabulary VE Day, celebration, Don’t forget at the end of the lesson to self assess (SA) war, victory on your sticker how successful you have been with your learning using What is VE Day? VE Day Victory in Europe Day VE Day - 75 Years The year 2020 marks 75 years since the original VE Day! But what was VE day? Here are some images of people celebrating the first VE Day. Does anyone have any ideas what VE Day might be? Definition… Use a dictionary or the internet to find the meaning of victory and write the definition in your book. Once you have found the meaning can you list other words which share the same meaning as victory. Second World War Britain had been at war since September 1939. The war had caused great hardships for the entire country. Cities, such as Coventry, London and Plymouth were badly bombed and many were killed. Buildings were destroyed and people were left homeless. Food was rationed; before the war, Britain It was usually impossible 384,000 British soldiers were imported lots of its food from abroad. for soldiers to visit home killed and many more With German submarines manning the due to the war. were wounded. seas, importing food was too risky. Victory in Europe Victory in Europe Day/ VE Day took place on May 8th 1945. It was a public holiday and day of celebration to mark the defeat of Germany by the Allied forces in World War 2. VE Day marked the formal conclusion of the war with Germany and brought to an end six years of suffering, courage and endurance across the world. Surrender After Hitler’s suicide in April, 1945, the Germans knew they could not win the war. General Jodl, travelled to see General Dwight D. Eisenhower - who was Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe – at the Headquarters in France. On the 7th May, at 2.41am, in front of some of the leaders of the Western Allies, Jodl signed a Photo courtesy of Ras67 (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution surrender document on behalf of Germany. This meant that the war in Europe was over, although World War II continued in other countries. Celebrations As news of the surrender spread, the war-weary British began to rejoice straight away. During the previous six years, half a million homes had been destroyed, thousands of civilians had been killed and many millions of lives disrupted, in Britain alone. The news of a surrender was what everyone needed to hear. People ran out on to the streets, hanging bunting and banners and dancing. People organised impromptu street parties, shared rationed food with the neighbours and listened to the wireless for updates. Photo courtesy of Fæ (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Announcement Yet the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, had yet to make a formal announcement. He was being held back by Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union. Stalin wanted his own document of surrender signing, so he was holding off announcing the fall of Germany. Churchill was not going to give Stalin the satisfaction of making “In accordance with arrangements between the three great powers, Britain wait, so at 19:40, tomorrow, Tuesday, will be treated Churchill made this as Victory in Europe Day and will be announcement over the radio: regarded as a holiday." Victory in Europe Photo courtesy of W.wolny (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution This photograph shows Churchill waving to crowds in Whitehall, London, on the day he broadcast to the nation that the war with Germany had been won, 8th May 1945. Time to Celebrate Photo courtesy of Paul Townsend (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Photo courtesy of Galt Museum & Archives (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Photo courtesy of Fæ (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution London VE Day Photo courtesy of BiblioArchives (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Photo courtesy of Fæ (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution After suffering so many bombing raids, London was the place to be on VE Day and anyone who could reach the city did so. The centre of London was full of people wearing red, white and blue, waving flags, dancing and singing. Fireworks filled the sky with flashes of light. Britain’s Resolve and Strength On VE Day, everyone, both in London and at home sitting by their wireless sets, wanted to hear just one man: Winston Churchill. At 3pm the Prime Minister broadcast to the nation. He praised the British spirit and reminded them that this was a victory of the great British nation as a whole. He also Photo courtesy of Fæ (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution reminded them that the war continued against the Japanese, Crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square and up The Mall, waiting for Winston but ‘we can all take a night off Churchill and King George VI to make today’. an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. “This is your victory!” Shortly after Churchill's speech, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the two princesses came out onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace. It was to be the first of eight appearances by the King and Queen on VE Day. When the doors onto the balcony were opened again at 17:30, the Royal Family stepped out accompanied by the man of the hour, Churchill. Churchill later told the crowds: “This is your victory!” Photo courtesy of Lewenstein (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Photo courtesy of Common Good (@Wikipedia.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attributiont VE Day… The following day was one of great celebration. Churchill made a speech in which he said: ‘My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole.’ Communities had street parties and churches held services of thanksgiving. A Memorable Night Later that evening, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret slipped out of Buckingham Palace to experience the celebrations for themselves. They stood amongst the joyful crowds below the royal balcony. HM Queen Elizabeth II recalled the event: "... my sister and I realised we couldn't see what the crowds were enjoying ... so we asked my parents if we could go out and see for ourselves ... After crossing Green Park we stood outside and shouted, 'We want the King', and were successful in seeing my parents on the balcony. I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.” VE Day 2020… To celebrate 75 years since the original VE Day, the May Day Bank Holiday has been moved for the second time in history. Although it's usually on a Monday, this year, the May Day Bank Holiday will be on Friday 8th May to coincide with the anniversary of VE Day. The last time the May Day Bank Holiday was moved was also for VE Day - to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 1995! Your task… Task 1: I can create an fact file or informative poster explaining the importance of VE Day and why we celebrate every year, using the slides to support me. Task 2: I can crack Morse code messages and create my own Morse code messages. Can you crack the code! Your task… Task 1: I can create an informative poster explaining the importance of VE Day. I could include; • What does VE Day mean? • What is remembered on VE Day? • Why I think it is important to celebrate and recognise VE Day? • How VE Day was celebrated and how it is celebrated now? You might want to include picture and country flags on your poster. Task 2: I can crack Morse code messages and create my own Morse code messages. Can you crack the code! Your task… Task 1: I can create an informative poster describing VE Day. I could include; • What year did VE day happen? • What does VE Day mean? • What is remembered on VE Day? • How was VE Day celebrated? • Why do we still celebrate VE Day? • What is special about this years celebration You might want to include picture and country flags on your poster. Task 2: I can crack Morse code messages and create my own Morse code messages. Use this key to crack the Morse code. Time to Reflect… In his VE Day speech, Winston Churchill said, “Do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straight forward.” How can you keep going when you face difficult or worrying times? Tyranny means cruel and oppressive government or rule. Useful links… https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48201749 https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know- about-ve-day https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/history-ks2-ve- day/z7xtmfr.